Interaction between body mass index and blood pressure on the risk of vascular stiffness : A community-based cross-sectional study and implications for nursing.

This was a cross-sectional study, so it cannot show that BMI or blood pressure caused changes in vascular stiffness. The sample came from one community centre in Shanghai, so the findings may not apply to other populations. Most participants were female, which may affect how well the results apply to men. BMI does not show where body fat is stored, so it may not fully capture cardiometabolic risk. Some possible confounders, such as detailed medical history and laboratory values, were not measured. Subgroup analyses often did not reach statistical significance, so the pattern by blood pressure should be read cautiously.

The study was funded by the Nature Science Foundation of China. The funding source was not involved in study design, research process or the decision to submit for publication. The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Do not conclude that higher BMI protects against vascular stiffness. The negative association with baPWV appeared only after blood pressure was taken into account, and baPWV was higher in people with high blood pressure regardless of BMI. Because this was cross-sectional, it cannot show that changing weight would improve or worsen arterial stiffness.